Life With the Newsies- One Shots- OPEN to OCs

Christmas On the Fire Escape

Modern AU: (Immediately after Crutchy's New Friend)

Jack lays on his back and as soon as he hears Crutchy's gentle snores, he rises to his feet. He throws on his striped T-shirt and his light blue hoodie over it.  Jack creeps over to the window and tries to open it silently. Once he opens it just enough that he can get out, Jack climbs onto the fire escape. Quietly, he runs down it and jumps the last few feet to the bottom. The cold Christmas air nips at it him through his hoodie as his breath funnels around him. He stands on the deserted sidewalk and looks around at the city. For once, Manhattan seems somewhat quiet. Maybe Christmas has brought some sense of peace to the usually busy city. Jack starts strolling up to the nicer parts of town where the richer people live. His tiny sketchbook in his large hoodie pocket bounces against his body as his feet gently tread against the concrete beneath his feet. A few people pass him by but Jack does not notice. He has important matters to attend to this evening. Turning another street and then another, Jack hurries down the street once he sees the large Pulitzer manor on the end. Jack makes it to the mansion and quickly climbs over the iron fence that surrounds the mansion. Cars litter the lawn and the giant cul-du-sac that sits in front of the mansion. Jack weaves his way in between all of the Cadillacs and Mercedes-Benz parked on the grass and road. Finally, he wanders around to the back of the house to the fire escape. Jack quickly climbs up it until he comes to the landing just outside of her window. Katherine's room is dark when he peers in. The window is latched firmly when Jack pulls on it to sneak into the house. He knew there would be a large party, but he had hoped that Katherine would have slipped off to her room for a few moments of quiet time so he could see her. When he realizes that this is not going to be the case, Jack runs back down the fire escape. Jack wanders around to the back of the house where two large French doors are swung open to cool off a large ornate ballroom. He stands a ways back to admire all of the activity swirling about in the large, ornate decorated space. Ladies in large fancy dresses dance with their dainty petite hands clasped around a handsome man's neck. The men lead the women around in circles, wearing fancy suits and dress shoes so clean that they shine when the light from the golden chandelier hits them just right. Jack tries to avoid being seen as best as he can. He searches the room for Katherine, but he cannot find her anywhere. Finally, he spots her dancing with Darcy, a close friend of hers. Jack slowly approaches the doors and stands in the doorway. A light breeze ripples through the room causing the clothing of those standing closest to the open doorway to flutter. Several couples hurry over and gently kiss under the doorway. Jack does not really think anything of it since it is Christmas and people kiss all of the time on Christmas. Katherine notices Jack from across the room and she quickly hurries over to him. Before Jack can even register what is happening, Katherine is kissing him. Jack pulls away slightly surprised.

"Merry Christmas to youse too!" He says jokingly and leans for another kiss, but Katherine places a finger gently on his lips.

"It's what you get for showing up at my dad's party and standing under some mistletoe," She replies and Jack looks up. A huge string of mistletoe sits just above the doorway, towering over Jack. He chuckles and places a hand gently on Katherine's cheek.

"I'se didn't mind at all," He states and kisses Katherine back. Katherine's arm snake around his neck and the two join several other couples who are standing under the mistletoe kissing. After a short while, Jack and Katherine separate. He takes in Katherine with a deep violet dress floating around her petite figure and her auburn curls daring to spill out of the bun that confines them to her head.

"I did not expect you to come here. Did you know we were having a party tonight?" Katherine asks and Jack shakes his head.

"Nah. I just wanted to drop by and spend sometime with my favorite Ace," He replies with a shrug. His hazel eyes never leave her brown ones. Katherine blushes and shakes her head at him.